Dodge Nitro is ‘Tonka’ for adults
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
From North Dublin Publications
WHAT kind of a car do you want to drive? Something that will start first time these winter mornings and blend in with the commuter traffic? Or maybe you would like to make a fashion statement and buy a Dodge Nitro.
Last week I drove a red version of the massive Dodge Nitro and I must say it drew as many envious glances from young and old as any sports car I have driven.
The front of the Nitro reminded me of the front of one of those massive trucks which traverse the US roads, the ones you see in ads at Christmas time, transporting Budweiser.
That front grille just has to be seen to be believed and it really defines this SUV.
It definitely is huge in every aspect and you could literally stand or indeed sit on the front bumper. Some people have described it as a 'Tonka Toy' for adults and viewed side on, it has a kind of a Hummer look to it.
Dodge is back in Ireland after an absence of more than 50 years. They describe the styling in the Nitro as 'masculine' and to be fair I don't think they will attract many female drivers.
Naturally it's set high and you wouldn't want to be troubled by arthritis to climb on board. Once inside it's very spacious and views are impressive, even though the side windows are fairly small.
For the driver and front seat passenger there is a lot of bonnet in your line of vision, but the SUV is easy to handle.
You get six forward gears and the ride is reasonably smooth. I found the handbrake is a bit far away from the driver. In fact it's so far away it would be better to get the front seat passenger to use it.
However, I liked the way the lights come on when you turn off the alarm with the zapper at night. It makes it easier and safer to find your way to the Nitro. It's a long motor and the reversing parking sensors are handy.
As the Nitro is likely to be used for agricultural work there is a host of safety items as standard on this 4x4. You get ABS, ESP and a new one for me, ERM, which means Electronic Rollover Mitigation.
Officially it's a five-seater, but the back seat and passenger seat can be folded flat for more storage if necessary. There is also a sliding boot floor which extends from the boot and could be used to load heavy items or simply to sit on if you are having a picnic.
The 2.8 manual version I drove costs e37,995, while you will pay e39,495 for the automatic version. The road tax is a whopping e2,000. If you are interested in a commercial version the manual is e28,995 and the automatic e30,495.
Hard to know exactly who will buy this SUV as we enter a recessionary era and I suppose you would have to worry about its re-sale value when the time comes to trade in.
But to be fair I have driven more expensive and thirstier SUVs. Perhaps Yanks or maybe Irish people who have lived in the US for a long period, may be attracted to it.
LINK:
Dublin People - Dodge Nitro is ‘Tonka’ for adults
Dodge Nitro is ‘Tonka’ for adults
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